The Building

Historian Tom Spalding gives a glimpse back in time at the building of the Royal Cork Yacht Club clubhouse, now the Sirius Arts Centre. Did English architect Anthony Salvin design the building? Why did Cobh change its name to Queenstown after a royal visit that lasted just seven minutes? And how did any of this happen in the immediate aftermath of a devastating famine and a cholera epidemic? Also featuring Dr Alicia St Leger, RCYC archivist Paul McCarthy, and some echoes of history scripted by playwright Katie Holly.

In and Out of Empire was commissioned by SIRIUS and researched and produced with support from Cork County Council's Commemorations Grant Scheme 2021 and the Heritage Council's Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2022.